THE family of a toddler born ten weeks early at Worcestershire Royal Hospital thanked the staff who helped her through her first few weeks with a special fundraising quiz night.

Paige Harvey, now two and a half years old, weighed just two pounds and five ounces when she was born and was cared for at the Royal’s neonatal intensive care unit for the first ten weeks of her life.

Her family, who live in Pershore, have since raised about £1,200 for the unit to thank the staff who helped them through that difficult time.

As a thank you to the staff the family recently held a quiz night, where Paige collected donations armed with a collection tin and her biggest smile.

Paige’s mum Angela said it was hard to believe she was ever so small.

“Until you’re in a situation to need the team here, you don’t realize how important the service they provide here is,” she said.

The neonatal intensive care unit looks after babies born from 28 weeks onwards. One in ten children are born early and those who arrive before 34 weeks often need extra help with breathing, feeding and keeping warm.

Ward sister Julie McMannis said it was lovely to see Paige and her family again.

“We don’t normally get to see babies once they’ve grown up,” she said.

“We are so grateful for all the work they have done to raise this money for us.

“It will make such a difference to all the families we see here on the unit.”

For more information on fundraising for Worcestershire’s acute hospitals call 01905 760 551 or email fundraising@worcsacute.nhs.uk.